A Nigerian national has been sentenced to 97 months in prison for his involvement in an international fraud scheme that targeted elderly U.S. victims. The sentencing took place on April 25, following investigations led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). Additional support came from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Europol, and authorities from the UK, Spain, and Portugal.
Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola of ICE Homeland Security Investigations Arizona remarked on the crime's impact: “It’s inconceivable to imagine any human being robbing from those who’ve spent a lifetime working and building a life, and then are duped out of it all.” He emphasized the commitment to bringing justice to those affected by such fraudulent activities.
Court documents reveal that Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, aged 36, participated in sending deceptive letters to elderly individuals across the United States over several years. These letters falsely claimed recipients were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances supposedly left by deceased overseas family members. Victims were instructed to pay various fees purportedly necessary before receiving their inheritance. In reality, these payments went into a complex network orchestrated by Ogbata and his co-conspirators involving former victims within the U.S., who unknowingly aided in forwarding funds. No victim received any inheritance money as promised.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov M. Roth from the Justice Department’s Civil Division noted: “The Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch will continue to pursue, prosecute, and bring to justice transnational criminals responsible for defrauding U.S. consumers." He highlighted international cooperation's role in addressing transnational crime.
U.S. Attorney Hayden P. Byrne for the Southern District of Florida affirmed that American justice would reach fraudsters globally: “We will not allow transnational criminals to steal money from the public we serve."
Steven Hodges, Acting Postal Inspector in Charge of USPIS Miami Division commented on law enforcement collaboration: “Today’s sentencing is a testament to the dedicated partnership between the Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch, HSI and USPIS.”
Senior Trial Attorney Phil Toomajian along with Trial Attorneys Josh Rothman and Brianna Gardner are handling prosecution efforts related to this case.
For older adults or anyone aware of elder financial fraud incidents, assistance is available through the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311), managed by experienced professionals under the Office for Victims of Crime at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Further information regarding elder protection initiatives can be found on its Elder Justice Initiative webpage or through resources provided by its Consumer Protection Branch.
